Wilkins breaks silence over Chelsea exit

Ever since departing the club in a blaze of controversy last month the manner of Ray Wilkins' exit has been the subject of much debate.

Told his contract was being terminated on an ordinary midweek day at Cobham, at half time of a specially-arranged reserve team friendly, eyebrows were raised instantaneously. Was it something he'd done or something he'd said? Had he had a bust-up with the manager, the captain, the owner, the chief executive's mistress?

To be honest, no-one really knows the true in's and out's of Butch's exit from SW6, although the man himself has finally broken his silence to put one or two things straight.

'I don't think I fell out with him (Roman Abramovich) at all,' Wilkins said. 'I think if that was the case, then I would have been removed from my position immediately.'

'There wasn't so much a row, there was a discussion. I think everybody was immediately after the game a bit pent up and we'd been knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan, who are a very good side and who over two games deservedly beat us.'

'I think we're big enough to come away from that situation but we've moved on from there and we've won the double but obviously the owner felt that there was need of a change, and he made that change.'

So, what precisely was the reason for the former Blues midfield maestro's exit then?

'The reason hasn't been given, so I'm still waiting for that,' he explained. 'But that really isn't a problem as far as I am concerned.'

'We always want to know why, but if it isn't forthcoming we've got to get on with our lives. I've no problems. I was privileged to be part of something that was very special and was a great adventure.'

'It has obviously been a big wrench leaving such an illustrious club and one which has played such a huge role in my playing and coaching career. I have great affection for the club, the staff, the players and its supporters and wish them all the very best for the remainder of this season and the future.'

Wilkins' Chelsea connections span 37 years, since he burst onto the scene as our youngest ever captain in 1975. But is he bitter about his latest Stamford Bridge departure?

'These things happen. You just have to accept it, because nothing should ever surprise you anymore in football.'

Wise words, indeed.

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Sad...but it shows how bad our politics inside of Chelsea are. And looking at things are going, I doubt Carlo wants to stay any longer then his contract. And once he goes, there won't be many top manager that want to come to the club, looking at the way they are treated by the chelsea boardroom.

Dignified answers as you would expect. He wouldnt have slated the club had he been paid of or not. A classy man who deserved a lot better. Our loss, not his. Hopefully he can be paraded a game to be given a proper send off. If they can parade Le Nice to see Super Dan get the treatment against Zilina, embarrassing for that cheeser Le Saux!!!!

He really is a lovely chap. Carlo couldn't have done the double without him. His knowledge of the game, the players, the language, all were key to Ancelotti's success. As for comments about Chelsea's results being down to his departure. No doubt it contributed, but Ramires' not being able to pass, Kalou (why is he still here? I actually hate seeing him on the pitch, poor decisions going against us (though we should be winning awarded or not) and playing fullbacks at CB, or RB at LB, 3 RB's + 1 LB at the same time - this is poor. This is Carlo's fault. I hope Ray has a brilliant future. He was superb.

Just as I though we were finally settling down as a club and finding are real rhythm we go and sack butch, bring emeliano, and let arnesen walk out at the end of his contract. At times I feel like I'm supporting a south american club thats constantly hiring and firing their managers! It looks like Roman isn't happy with what we had, and ven the BIG BOSS iz not happy it iz naught good for you Mr. Ancelotti!

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